Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-11-09
CHAPTER XIV.
uNcLE pAv's rREpIcrIoy.

opinion OF W alter BrOWnneid locked
in his own heart, his very manner
aroused the suspicion of his family that
something was wrong. The GOODNESS
with W which Walter was treated was per-
ceived by ali, and both Old heads and
young began to pusmany strange things
together.
Pinkey Miles perhaps suffered more
on account OF the youth than any other
member of the family. Her naturally
sympathetic heart went out to the I'M
fortunate Walter when he came there
q few weeks before, homeless wan
dereE His face was so pale and SC
sad, he looked SO weary and friendiess,
she could not help plying him. Then
when she discovered in him the true
germ of manhood, a noble heart, and
highly intellectual brain, then was adj
miration mingled with her pity. lie
was her ideal of true manliness. How
different when compared with the rough
clowniSh fellows of Preston Flat, who
seemed to know nothing save TO run
horses on Sunday and attend corn
huskings. In form lie was more slcn-
der than they. not nearly so muscular,
but his genteel, well-brcd air contrasted
strangely with the rough rude youths of
Preston Flat. The Flat had its DULLES and
heroes whose achievements were with
the list. Walter was Pinkey's hero, but
far diff rent He was. q refined Hero.
Gould he be so bad?' was the ques-
ton which arose in her mind again and
again. Was it possible that be who
was so gentle and kind would associate
4 himself with men whose whole aim
was plumber and blood he'd?
Although Mr.. Miles had not charged
/ Walter, nor limited at his suspicious 10
/ his family, yet Pinkey knew as well
/ that he had suspicious IS If she had
! heard them. She had read IL men
being deceiful, and playing the part
/ Of good men wheu>in reality they were
! 6nGyes at heart, but Walter could be
/ PLAYING no such part; his manner was
| perfectly natural.
/ Scandal had BEGUN to whisper from
1 neighbor to neighbOr that the pale
1 youth knew more about the robbery of
the Californian than he%voulI dare TO
/ tell. All these rumOrs were kept from
the ears OF Nj. Brown. The wounded
man still kept his bed, thou h his arm
was healing and he was otherwise do
ing well. Walter seldom went into
his room, for he felt that there was
vague suspicion 10 the family at he
was one of the wOuid-be murderors.
Ii his mental suffering was great
| Pinkey was equally 50. She dom
saw Walter and never more than srOE
to him. She dared not trust herself 70
speak with him. in the old confidential
way. Bitterly did her mind recall the
many pleasant hours spent in his COM
pany, and above all that delightful
ride through the forest road to church,
and return. Walter noticed her re-
served manner and misintcrpret,d it.
''She, too, mistrusts me-" lie said to
himself. as he sat upon his favorite
block behind the barn. They all sus-
pect me; they all think me q thief;
they all think me n murderer. PiRkey
mistrusts me with the rest. OH what
have l done to deserve thisP" he
groaned-
As he sat there he wondered e the
great and good Father, who watches
over ali, had forsaken him. That
sainted mother, who now slept in her
grave, had taught him when child to
call on the Lord in his hour of trouble
and he would not forsake him. Walters
heart was full and he prayed 10 God TO
have mercy on him and bring him out
pure through this fiery ordeal. All was
dark; no star could be seen in the hori-
ION. Walter moved and acted like one
in a dream.
One afternoon Pinkey Miles put on
her calico sun-bonnet, which made her
sweet face and dark ewes more beauti-
full than ever, and went across the field
TO the hut of her Uncle Daniel Hodge,
who was in reality pensioner on Mr.
Miles bounty. She found Uncle Dam
iel and Aunt Margaret in the kitchen,
the good old man sitting in his favorite
armchair with his stout cane in his
hand. Aunt Margaret was pairing APP
plies, her round pink face showing but
few wrinkles, and the neat old-fash-
Toned cap making the good old woman
look pretty.
"Good mornin', good mornin',
Pinkey; bless your soul, come in and
have seat" said Uncle Dan as she
came to the door.
"Why, Pinkey," said the old lady,
how glad 1 ann to q ye; 10 come in
and have seat. You must be tired
crcssin' the fields"
20, no, Aunt Margaret, I I'm not, :"
Pinkey answered, q smile on her beau
ntul face. "a walk across tho field,
which can't be more than mile at
most. doesn't weary me-"
wei, well. set down anyhow. and
toll me all the news. What's the latest
from Bushville?"
There is nothing, Uncle Dan," said
Pinkey.
''How's Mr. Brown gcttin'?"
Better; we ali think he'll be able 20
go about soon, said Pinkcy, her eyes
dropping sadly at the mention Of the
wounded Californian's name.
''IIev they never found the man
what did it?" asked Aunt Margaret.
No"
That does all seem strange, some
how, said Uncle Dan, shaking. his
mead, knowinglY: 81 can't understand
it all, but it viii come out ali right
reckon"
Are they stil trying 10 find the
men? ask sd Aunt Margaret
81 presume they are. The sheriff is
st our house consulting witt father and
Mr., Brown every lew DAYS said
Pinkey. As she spoke her beautiful
dark eyes were bent upon the floor.
.Hey We heard what the people have
been saying about yer hands" asked
Aunt Margaret.
"Who?" asked Pi1key. rs her heart
gave q g>sat leap. Shs unsuccessfally
feigned ignorance.
''Why. Walter Brownield-"
mo- she answered, yet her con
science smote her, She airasss fslt IS
: il she had spoken falsely. She knew
{ not why. The rulnor was IN the air;